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Blues coach praises Akira Ioane's form, faced with dilemma of when to rest Rieko

April 4, 2019

Leon MacDonald admitted he is still yet to decide when to give Rieko his scheduled All Blacks breaks.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald has praised Akira Ioane for his growth throughout the 2019 Super Rugby season.

Speaking to media today in Auckland, MacDonald complimented the star forward for his complete performance in Saturday's 24-9 win over the Stormers.

"I think it was Aki's [Akira] best game in the weekend, he was contributing in all aspects of the game," MacDonald said.

"It wasn't his ball carry, we saw some really good defensive work and some stuff where he put his head in some dark places.

"His ability now to set quickly in space and start calling for the balls is a real trademark of his game, where we are obviously benefiting when the ball gets wide, he's making good decisions.

"He's playing some good rugby at the moment and I know he seems to be enjoying himself out there as well." 

Akira has been named to start at No.8 again for the Blues against the Waratahs this Saturday in Auckland, with his brother Rieko named to start his seventh consecutive match on the left wing.

The Blues and the All Blacks came to an agreement to allow Rieko to play over the protocol of six matches before rest for All Blacks players, after the Blues had a bye in round five last month.

MacDonald says it will be difficult to choose which games Rieko will miss later this year.

"Trying to balance it all out is a challenge, when is the right time? It's probably easy to get that wrong probably I don't know," MacDonald said.

"We'll have to work that one out as we go and there is a lot of variables with things like injuries, so it will all fall into place at some point."

The Blues are on a three game winning streak and sit third on the New Zealand Super Rugby standings.

Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson (co-captain), 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (co-captain), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman.

Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Michael Collins.

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